U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 7, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo
May 12, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent foreign policy decisions have raised concerns in Israel about its standing as a U.S. ally, as Trump bypassed Israeli leaders during key diplomatic moves in the Middle East.
Key Developments
- Middle East Trip Excludes Israel: Trump’s current visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates excludes Israel, raising questions about Israel’s relevance in U.S. Middle East strategy.
- Hostage Negotiations: Trump’s administration secured the release of U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander through direct negotiations with Hamas, bypassing Israel entirely. This has led to criticism within Israel, where some officials expressed feelings of being blindsided.
- Ceasing Strikes on Houthis: Trump’s announcement to stop bombing Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen came without prior consultation with Israel, despite the Houthis recently targeting Ben Gurion Airport with a missile.
- Saudi Normalization Setback: Reports indicate that the U.S. no longer demands Saudi-Israeli normalization as a precondition for advancing U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation. This has undermined Prime Minister Netanyahu’s goal of expanding the Abraham Accords.
Israeli Reaction
The recent decisions have fueled perceptions in Israel that Trump’s administration may be deprioritizing the U.S.-Israel relationship. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar attempted to downplay the discord, emphasizing common ground while acknowledging sovereign differences. However, there is a growing sense of political uncertainty within Israel, with public criticism emerging over Netanyahu’s handling of relations with Washington.
Some officials in Netanyahu’s circle described Trump’s approach as “chaos,” noting that Israel has benefited from Trump’s unpredictable decisions in the past but is now facing adverse outcomes. Public sentiment also reflects frustration, with some Israelis questioning the current lack of leadership in managing the alliance.
Strategic Concerns
Historically, Israel has relied on U.S. diplomatic and military support, particularly during periods of heightened regional tension. Any indication that Washington might deprioritize Israel could have strategic implications, especially as the conflict in Gaza continues and international criticism mounts.
Trump’s actions have also reignited debates in Israel regarding the risks of depending on an unpredictable U.S. president. While Trump’s past policies favored Israel, his recent steps toward direct engagement with Hamas and shifting focus away from Israeli priorities have generated uncertainty.
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